ED Nurse-Led Code Sepsis to Reduce Time to Antibiotics.

Background: Delays in sepsis recognition contribute to delays in antibiotic administration, which lead to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with sepsis. Our objective was to create an Emergency Department (ED) Code Sepsis Nurse-led team to reduce the time to antibiotics and mortality in patients with sepsis.

Methods: This initiative was implemented at a community hospital in Southern California in response to previous undesirable sepsis outcomes.

Aflibercept and Ranibizumab Modulate Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Function by Acting on Their Cross Talk with Vascular Endothelial Cells.

Background/aims: We performed co-culture experiments between human RPE cells (ARPE-19) and human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) in order to evaluate how anti-VEGF drugs could affect NO release, mitochondrial function, the oxidative status, proliferation and migration of RPE cells through modulation of their cross talk with vascular endothelial cells.

Methods: The co-culture HUVEC/RPE, was exposed to Ranibizumab/Aflibercept in the absence/presence of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K), the extracellular-signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) blockers. Specific kits were used for cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, NO, ROS and GSH production.

Genistein improves viability, proliferation and mitochondrial function of cardiomyoblasts cultured in physiologic and peroxidative conditions.

Phytoestrogens exert protective effects on the cardiovascular system through mechanisms that have yet to be clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effects exerted by genistein on cardiomyoblasts (H9C2) against oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO) release, viability, proliferation/migration and mitochondrial function. H9C2 cultured in physiological or peroxidative conditions, were treated with genistein in the absence or presence of estrogen receptors (ERs), G protein‑​coupled‑estrogenic‑receptors (GPER), Akt, extracellular‑​signal‑regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) blockers.

Preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction: Role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-trophoblast cross-talk.

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis and maintenance of pregnancy-related disorders, such as intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE). Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) have been suggested as a possible therapeutic tool for the treatment of pregnancy-related disorders in view of their paracrine actions on trophoblast cells.

Objectives: To quantify the plasma markers of peroxidation in patients affected by PE and IUGR and to examine the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of PE and IUGR in vitro by using hUMSCs from physiological and pathological pregnancies and a trophoblast cell line (HTR-8/SVneo).

The subthreshold micropulse laser treatment of the retina restores the oxidant/antioxidant balance and counteracts programmed forms of cell death in the mice eyes.

Purpose: Subthreshold micropulse laser (SMPL) has been increasingly used for the treatment of different retinal and choroidal macular disorders. However, the exact mechanisms of action have not yet been clearly defined. Therefore, we aimed to examine the role of SMPL treatment in the modulation of oxidant/antioxidant systems, apoptosis and autophagy in the mice eyes.

Anti-oxidative effects of 17 β-estradiol and genistein in human skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Background: Estrogens and phytoestrogens can hinder the aging process through mechanisms related to estrogen receptors (ERs), guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptor (GPER30), mitochondria function and nitric oxide (NO) release. Up to date, however, the above issues are a matter of debate.

Objective: To examine the effects elicited by 17 β-estradiol and genistein against peroxidation in human keratinocytes/fibroblasts and evaluate the role played by ERs, GPER30, mitochondria and NO.

Effects of Genistein on Differentiation and Viability of Human Visceral Adipocytes.

Obesity can lead to pathological growth of adipocytes by inducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Genistein could be a potential candidate for the treatment of obesity due to its antioxidant properties. Specific kits were used to examine the effects of genistein vs adiponectin on human visceral pre-adipocytes differentiation, cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidative stress in pre-adipocytes and in white/brown adipocytes.

Improved Safety and Efficacy of Small-Bore Feeding Tube Confirmation Using an Electromagnetic Placement Device.

Background: Early enteral nutrition has been shown to decrease complications and improve patient outcomes. Post pyloric feeding is recommended for patients with gastric intolerance or at high risk for aspiration. Feeding tube placement can be challenging and pose risk of pulmonary complications.

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors Protect Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cells Against Oxidation by Modulating Nitric Oxide Release and Autophagy.

Background/aims: the anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), Aflibercept and Ranibizumab, are used for the treatment of macular degeneration. Here we examined the involvement of nitric oxide (NO), mitochondria function and of apoptosis/autophagy in their antioxidant effects in human retinal pigment epithelium cells (RPE).

Methods: RPE were exposed to Ranibizumab/Aflibercept in the absence or presence of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor and of autophagy activator/blocker, rapamicyn/3-methyladenine.

Modulation of Oxidative Stress by 17 β-Estradiol and Genistein in Human Hepatic Cell Lines In Vitro.

Background/aims: estrogens and phytoestrogens exert hepatoprotection through mechanisms not clearly examined yet. Here, we investigated the protective effects exerted by 17β-estradiol and genistein against oxidative stress in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the involvement of specific receptors and the intracellular signalling.

Methods: Huh7.

Gastric distension causes changes in heart rate and arterial blood pressure by affecting the crosstalk between vagal and splanchnic systems in anesthetised rats.

Various hindbrain nuclei have been demonstrated to be involved in the control of the cardiovascular reflexes elicited by both non-noxious and noxious gastric distension, through parasympathetic and sympathetic activation. The different role played by the branches of autonomic nervous system in exerting these effects and their crosstalk in relation to low-/high-pressure distension rate has not been examined yet. Therefore, in the present work, monolateral and bilateral vagotomy and splanchnicotomy were performed in anesthetised rats to analyse the involvement of hindbrain nuclei in haemodynamic changes caused by gastric distension at high (80 mmHg) and low (15 mmHg) pressure.

Monomeric adiponectin increases cell viability in porcine aortic endothelial cells cultured in normal and high glucose conditions: Data on kinases activation.

We found that monomeric adiponectin was able to increase cell viability in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAE) cultured both in normal and high glucose condition. Moreover, in normal glucose condition monomeric adiponectin increased p38MAPK, Akt, ERK1/2 and eNOS phosphorylation in a dose- and time-dependent way. Also in high glucose condition monomeric adiponectin increased eNOS and above kinases phosphorylation with similar patterns but at lower extent.

Monomeric adiponectin modulates nitric oxide release and calcium movements in porcine aortic endothelial cells in normal/high glucose conditions.

Aims: Perivascular adipose tissue can be involved in the process of cardiovascular pathology through the release of adipokines, namely adiponectins. Monomeric adiponectin has been shown to increase coronary blood flow in anesthetized pigs through increased nitric oxide (NO) release and the involvement of adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1). The present study was therefore planned to examine the effects of monomeric adiponectin on NO release and Ca(2+) transients in porcine aortic endothelial cells (PAEs) in normal/high glucose conditions and the related mechanisms.

Asenapine modulates nitric oxide release and calcium movements in cardiomyoblasts.

Objective: To examine the effects of asenapine on nitric oxide (NO) release and Ca(2+) transients in H9C2 cell line, which were either subjected to peroxidation or not.

Materials And Methods: H9C2 were treated with asenapine alone or in presence of intracellular kinase blockers, serotoninergic and dopaminergic antagonists, and voltage Ca(2+) channels inhibitors. Experiments were also performed in H9C2 treated with hydrogen peroxide.

Intracoronary Des-Acyl Ghrelin Acutely Increases Cardiac Perfusion Through a Nitric Oxide-Related Mechanism in Female Anesthetized Pigs.

Des-acyl ghrelin (DAG), the most abundant form of ghrelin in humans, has been found to reduce arterial blood pressure and prevent cardiac and endothelial cell apoptosis. Despite this, data regarding its direct effect on cardiac function and coronary blood flow, as well as the related involvement of autonomic nervous system and nitric oxide (NO), are scarce. We therefore examined these issues using both in vivo and in vitro studies.

Coronary flow reserve/diastolic function relationship in angina-suffering patients with normal coronary angiography.

Aims: Coronary blood flow and diastolic function are well known to interfere with each other through mechanical and metabolic mechanisms. We aimed to assess the relationship between coronary flow reserve (CFR) and diastolic dysfunction in patients suffering from angina but with normal coronary angiography.

Methods: In 16 patients with chest pain and angiographically normal coronary arteries, CFR was measured using transthoracic echo-Doppler by inducing hyperemia through dipyridamole infusion.

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Protects Vascular Endothelial Cells from Oxidative Stress by Apoptosis Inhibition, Cell Survival Signalling Activation and Mitochondrial Function Protection.

Background/aim: Previous reports have made it hypothetically possible that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) could protect against the onset of pregnancy-related pathological conditions by acting as an antioxidant. In the present study we planned to examine the effects of hCG against oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Methods: HUVEC were subjected to peroxidation by hydrogen peroxide.

Effects of Artemetin on Nitric Oxide Release and Protection against Peroxidative Injuries in Porcine Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells.

Artemetin is one of the main components of Achillea millefolium L. and Artemisia absinthium, which have long been used for the treatment of various diseases. To date, however, available information about protective effects of their extracts on the cardiovascular system is scarce.

Levosimendan inhibits peroxidation in hepatocytes by modulating apoptosis/autophagy interplay.

Background: Levosimendan protects rat liver against peroxidative injuries through mechanisms related to nitric oxide (NO) production and mitochondrial ATP-dependent K (mitoKATP) channels opening. However, whether levosimendan could modulate the cross-talk between apoptosis and autophagy in the liver is still a matter of debate. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the role of levosimendan as a modulator of the apoptosis/autophagy interplay in liver cells subjected to peroxidation and the related involvement of NO and mitoKATP.

PAINTER: a spatiospectral image reconstruction algorithm for optical interferometry.

Astronomical optical interferometers sample the Fourier transform of the intensity distribution of a source at the observation wavelength. Because of rapid perturbations caused by atmospheric turbulence, the phases of the complex Fourier samples (visibilities) cannot be directly exploited. Consequently, specific image reconstruction methods have been devised in the last few decades.

Blind and fully constrained unmixing of hyperspectral images.

This paper addresses the problem of blind and fully constrained unmixing of hyperspectral images. Unmixing is performed without the use of any dictionary, and assumes that the number of constituent materials in the scene and their spectral signatures are unknown. The estimated abundances satisfy the desired sum-to-one and nonnegativity constraints.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in healthy humans reduces sympathetic nerve activity.

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is currently used to treat refractory epilepsy and is being investigated as a potential therapy for a range of conditions, including heart failure, tinnitus, obesity and Alzheimer's disease. However, the invasive nature and expense limits the use of VNS in patient populations and hinders the exploration of the mechanisms involved.

Objective: We investigated a non-invasive method of VNS through electrical stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve distributed to the skin of the ear--transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) and measured the autonomic effects.

Effect of monomeric adiponectin on cardiac function and perfusion in anesthetized pig.

Adiponectin, the most abundant adipokine released by adipose tissue, appears to play an important role in the regulation of vascular endothelial and cardiac function. To date, however, the physiological effects of human monomeric adiponectin on the coronary vasculature and myocardial systo-diastolic function, as well as on parasympathetic/sympathetic involvement and nitric oxide (NO) release, have not yet been investigated. Thus, we planned to determine the primary in vivo effects of human monomeric adiponectin on coronary blood flow and cardiac contractility/relaxation and the related role of autonomic nervous system, adiponectin receptors, and NO.